ACTH response in vivo and in vitro to synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (o-CRF) was examined in a bronchial carcinoid from a patient with ectopic ACTH syndrome. o-CRF, 1 microgram/kg iv bolus, scarcely increased plasma ACTH or cortisol on one occasion, but they showed a low response on retesting. On the other hand, 10(-8) and 10(-7) M of o-CRF significantly stimulated ACTH release ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Exaggerated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol responses to ghrelin in Cushing's disease (CD) have previously been reported, similarly to responses to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). We assessed the ability of ghrelin to enhance ACTH and cortisol responses when added to CRH stimulation in CD patients. METHODS In 21 CD patients (18 females, 3 males; age 49.8...

A photoaffinity probe for corticotropin (ACTH) receptors was prepared by selective modification of the single tryptophan residue in ACTH. A new photoreactive agent, 2,4-dinitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl chloride, was synthesized and used for introducing the photoreactive group into ACTH. 2,4-Dinitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl-Trp9-ACTH (DNAPS-ACTH) was also prepared by thiolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-sul...

The impairment of homeostatic mechanisms in ageing becomes often apparent upon physiological or pathological stimulation. We have previously shown that fasting and refeeding revealed the existence of age-related changes of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Because fuel metabolism is partially controlled by corticosteroids we decided to determine the effects of refeeding on adrenal gland morpho...

To clarify the physiological role of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), we measured plasma CRH, ACTH, and cortisol throughout pregnancy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CRH levels and ACTH responsiveness to synthetic CRH were also quantified in pregnant and nonpregnant women. Maternal plasma CRH levels, which increased progressively during pregnancy, correlated well with both ACTH and c...

The 41-residue synthetic ovine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF; corticoliberin) has been shown to stimulate release of corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone; ACTH) and beta-endorphin from AtT-20/D16-16 mouse pituitary tumor cells. Phospholipid methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine with S-adenosylmethionine as methyl donor has been suggested as a possible membra...

Since the spring of 1952 we have undertaken a clinical trial of corticotropin in 21 cardiac patients with resistant edema. Of these, there were eight with arteriosclerotic, eight with chronic rheumatic, and three with hypertensive heart disease, while two had cor pulmonale. Beneficial results were obtained in 17, or 81 per cent of the cases. These consisted of a spontaneous diuresis either duri...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a baseline (random) cortisol concentration <25 microg/dL in patients with septic shock was a better discriminator of adrenal insufficiency than the standard (250 microg) and the low-dose (1 microg) corticotropin stimulation tests as assessed by the hemodynamic response to steroid replacement. SETTING Intensive care unit. PATIENTS Fifty-nine patients with septi...